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Don Davis

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Don Davis has been the Forum Communications Minnesota Capitol Bureau chief since 2001, covering state government and politics for two dozen newspapers in the state. Don also blogs at Capital Chatter on Areavoices.

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Wisconsin's new Republican governor is taking the same tactic as Minnesota GOP legislators to help the economy: finding ways to help businesses so they can create more jobs. Gov. Scott Walker toured his state Tuesday, including stops in Hudson and Superior next to Minnesota, touting that Wisconsin is "open for business." Twenty-three signs saying that are being posted at entrances to the state. Walker pointed out Minnesota Gov.

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle appeared before the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, asking that his state get its share of money from a federal economic recovery package. Wisconsin and Minnesota economies are hurting, so their leaders feel a need to pressure Congress to return their citizens more federal money than they receive now. To the west, in North Dakota, the story is different.

HUDSON - Sen. John McCain drove home one point time and again during his campaign swing through Minnesota and Wisconsin - "straight talk" is more than a campaign slogan to him. For instance, he drew a strong contrast between him and fellow Republican President Bush over environmental issues. The Republican presidential candidate used the "straight talk" term several times during his hour and a half visit to J and L Steel Erectors in Hudson, where he met an almost-all-women audience that asked questions similar to a St. Paul town hall meeting three weeks earlier. McCain, who visited his St.

ST. PAUL - A minimum wage increase lawmakers support needs to change before Gov. Tim Pawlenty can support it, he said Thursday moments after the House approved the wage hike. The bill would raise the minimum wage in large businesses from $6.15 to $6.90 an hour on July 24 and $7.90 next year. Minimum wages in small businesses would go up from the current $5.25 to $5.75 this summer and $6.75 in 2009. A worker younger than 20 years old could be paid less during the first three months on a job. The House passed the measure on an 82-45 vote.

A Minnesota Senate committee will have the specific task of looking into immigration issues. Sen. Ann Rest's State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committee will take on those responsibilities, which previously did not fall under any committee chairman's jurisdiction. "Policies that concern the daily lives of immigrants to Minnesota seem to be an appropriate addition to the committee's jurisdiction," said Rest, a New Hope Democrat. "Overall reform of U. S.

ST. PAUL - The western Minnesota community of Browns Valley is due $2 million to help it recover from March flooding. Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday signed a bill giving Browns Valley money for public and private recovery. Besides the $2 million, an education funding bill includes a provision keeping the local school district's funding at pre-flood levels, even if it loses students because families move away.